Before you start
Meet ablaufen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
All 10 meanings
- (time) to expire; to go out of date
- (liquid etc.) to run off; to drain
- (wind-up machine) run down
- (battery) run out
- to wear down (soles, heals etc.)
- (event, procedure) to go [auxiliary sein]
Build the meaning
ab- + laufen
- ab-
- away or off, suggesting something reaching its end
- laufen
- to run
Time or a process runs its course and comes to an end.
So ablaufen means to expire, run out, or take place.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Separable verb: ab·laufen
In a main clause the prefix ab splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseDer Kurs läuft um sechs ab.The course ends at six.
Subordinate clauseIch weiß, dass der Kurs um sechs abläuft.I know that the course ends at six.
Participle: abgelaufenzu-infinitive: abzulaufen
Forms
How ablaufen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | laufe ab | lief ab |
| du | läufst ab | liefst ab |
| er/sie/es | läuft ab | lief ab |
| wir | laufen ab | liefen ab |
| ihr | lauft ab | lieft ab |
| Sie | laufen ab | liefen ab |
Partizip II abgelaufen · Perfekt with sein
Three examples
- 1Mein Pass läuft nächste Woche ab.My passport expires next week.present tense, expiry
- 2Die Feier ist ruhig abgelaufen.The party went smoothly.Perfekt with sein
- 3Sie erklärt, wie der Tag abläuft.She explains how the day goes.verb at the end